§ Q4. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Prime Minister if he will now make a statement on proposals for reform of the House of Lords.
§ The Prime MinisterI have as yet nothing to add to the Answer I gave on 5th March to a similar Question by my hon. Friend.—[Vol. 760, c. 227–8.]
§ Mr. HamiltonIs my right hon. Friend aware that that reply was singularly uninformative? Can he tell the House what is now holding up the publication of the agreement between the parties concerned? Also, when can we expect publication of the White Paper, as some of us are anxious to get our teeth into this problem?
§ The Prime MinisterI take that threat in no idle way. The reason why my Answer was uninformative was because of the agreement between the three parties concerned that these discussions 174 should go on and that we should not say anything in the House or elsewhere until the discussions are complete. The discussions have been proceeding for some time now and we shall make a report to the House as soon as may be possible.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamWhat does the Prime Minister say to the suggestion in certain Labour quarters that he may be going to the House of Lords?
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonCan my right hon. Friend say whether opportunity will be taken in this review of the reform of the House of Lords to abolish the judicial functions of that House?
§ The Prime MinisterWhen this announcement was made we were discussing the question of the House of Lords as a legislative chamber. That is what is being discussed by the representatives of the three parties.